What does the base unit do when the clipboard is undoecked?

[uffestar]

I'm curious to know if the clipboard in any way is wirelessly connected with the base unit when undocked? For example, when presenting in Powerpoint and projecting on the screen, can I detach the clipboard and walk around the room with the clipboard and ink, while the base unit continues to project the presentation? That would be awesome...

 

[Tumultus]

Doubtful! Would be a neat little feature but they would have shown this if it were possible. And doesn't the CPU sit in the screen part? Still, don't let this stop you because there are plenty wireless presentation remotes and mice available on the market.

 

[ParoleGA]

The keyboard section doesn't do anything while not connected. It has no brain (CPU). The keyboard/touchpad seem to appear as a USB device, over the USB lanes of the Surface Connector, while the dGPU uses PCIe lanes of the Surface Connector.

 

[xandros9]

The base does nothing

 

[uffestar]

Kind of expected this. But it would be a nice feature for the future

 

[darth furious]

a selling point for surface book 2?

 

[ChristopherBClark]

You can absolutely do this. The base has no CPU in it - only keyboard, ports, GPU and batteries. You don't need the dock to present at all.

Edit: I assume now you must be relying on USB ports in the base to project? Your solution is just use a Wireless Display Adapter I think.

 

[Drewidian]

No. What they should put in the next dock is...
1) a second SSD drive option that is possibly user upgradeable
2) a better dGPU or possibly a range of optional dGPUs.
3) 2 - USB-C 3.1 ports possibly one on the tablet and one on the base.
4) built in Xbox Wireless Controller adapter
5) unlocked universal LTE Bands into the tablet or kb dock due to power consumption issues.

Those are my major griping points right now. If these were included in this year's model, it would be just about perfect.

 

[Dush Ku]

LTE in the full laptop would be nice.

 

[fintwerp01]

No, the keyboard will just sit there looking pretty.